‘Venezuela foiled incursion’

CARACAS: Venezuela’s leftist government said on Sunday it foiled an incursion from the sea by alleged mercenaries bent on "terrorist acts" aimed at overthrowing President Nicolas Maduro.

Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said the group, which he said originated in Colombia, attempted to land with fast boats before dawn in the northern coastal state of La Guaira but were intercepted by the military and special police units.

"Thanks to the opportune, effective action of our Bolivarian Armed Forces and special police action forces of the National Bolivarian Police, some were shot down and some were detained," he said on state television.

Reverol gave no details on the number of people detained or killed in the operation, which he said was still underway, with a massive search on air, land and sea.

Venezuela frequently accuses Colombia of fomenting plots to overthrow the Maduro government, and of allowing "mercenaries" to train in its territory.